Neurophilosophy : toward a unified science of the mind-brain

Five chapters in the book's first part, "Some Elementary Neuroscience," sketch the history of the science of nervous systems and provide a general introduction to neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and neuropsychology. In the second part, "Recent Developments in the Philosophy of Science," chapters place the mind-body problem within the wider context of the philosophy of science. Drawing on recent research in this area, a general account of intertheoretic reduction is explained, arguments for a reductionist strategy are developed, and traditional objections from dualists and other anti reductionists are answered in novel ways. The third part, "A Neurophilosophical Perspective," concludes the book with a presentation and discussion of some of the most promising theoretical developments currently under exploration in functional neurobiology and in the connectionist models within artificial intelligence research.Patricia Churchland is Professor of Philosophy, University of California, San Diego. A Bradford Book. Cover+Back 1 Contents 3 Preface 5 Neurophilosophy 8 General Introduction 10 1 The Science of Nervous Systems: A Historical Sketch 20 2 Modern Theory of Neurons 42 3 Functional Neuroanatomy 105 4 Higher Functions: Early Work 153 5 Higher Functions: Neuropsychology and Neurology 176 6 Introduction and Historical Sketch 243 7 Reduction and the Mind-Body Problem 281 8 Are Mental States Irreducible to Neurobiological States? 318 9 Functionalist Psychology 351 10 Theories of Brain Function 403 11 Closing Relmarks 480 Notes 482 Bibliography 489 Index 522

Neurophilosophy is a rich interdisciplinary study of the prospects for a unified cognitive neurobiology.

"A Bradford book." Bibliography: p. [491]-523. Includes index